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No magic wand, bullet to solve crime—Young

“There is no magic wand….there is no magic pill… and not for a want of a pun, there is no magic bullet either to solve crime in any country of the world, including Trinidad and Tobago.”

This was how newly appointed National Security Minister Stuart Young gave his view on crime in general while speaking at his first post-Cabinet media briefing at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s, since being appointed to the new post by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley five days ago.

“This Government is not burying its head in the sand. We know crime is the number one issue. We are going to do everything we can to deal with it.”

With a new Police Commissioner to take up his duties soon, Young said he will give his full commitment to the task ahead.

While not giving specific about his crime fighting plans, Young said when asked what was his priority in National Security he said he had asked for “specific information” from acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams, acting Deputy Police Commissioner Harold Phillip and heads of the Strategic Services Agency, T&T Defence Force and the T&T Fire Service who he met this week to understand what exist.

This information will be handed to Young today by the security heads.

“So I would have a proper view of the landscape of T&T and what exactly we are facing in accordance with their information…in accordance with the intelligence. At that stage, yes, there are certain things we will be discussing to give them advice in terms of going forward.”

Young said things cannot continue the way it was before.

“I want to utilise a lot more technology. At this stage it is premature for me to come out and say this is what is going to be done. I am at this stage considering within the next week to have a specific conference as Minister of National Security after I have had more meetings with the heads etcetera, looked at the information provided. At that stage I will be prepared to discuss more. At this stage I am not going to tell you where my areas of focus are.”

Young also stated that Cabinet took a decision to upgrade the country’s radar system that goes up the islands and to re-engage with a provider, an Israeli firm, to ensure they have the widest radar coverage with the best possible technology.

“The warranty on the radars has run out. So it is engaging in a service contract.”